need help from an experienced GTP keeper....

Hello to all, my names paul. I have been on this site many times and usually post about ball pythons. I have had snakes for about 6 or 7 years now. Ball's, corn's etc. They have always thrived so i am looking for the next challenge. I did some homework and found a connection to get a quality GTP. I have been researching for a week now. Rite now i am waiting for a couple clutches to hatch, and from there my breeder will give me my pick of GTP. It wont be anything too exotic like a sorong or something, i cant remember what he called it but its generally green with yellow splotches as an adult, which from what i have seen could be almost anything. The clutch isnt due to hatch for another 3 weeks, and my breeder is going to hold onto one for me for a couple weeks to make sure that it eats healthy and it dosent have any problems. This also gives me time to setup my tank.

The point of my thread is that despite all my research i still have some questions that i need answered. My choice of tank is an exo terra terrarium, but i am not sure if i should get the 18x18x18 or the 18x18x24. Is 18" tall enough for a juvenile, or because of growth is it easier to have the 24"? What is the best way to heat the tank without sacraficing humidity? Should i put a heatpad on the back glass, or should i use an overhead radiant panel? If the panel is my best choice, where can i get one?

I plan on using a 11 hr photoperiod. What is the best bulb to use? Should i leave the light on during the day or at night?

I also have plans to have a waterfall in the tank. Is this a good idea or bad? I would have a gravity top off to make sure it does not dry out. Would the waterfall increase humidity? And would it also help the humidity to add a fogger? If not, could i use it for visual effects?

What is the best substrate to use? I read that newspaper is good for juveniles and cypress mulch would suffice for adults. What is the best to go with, cleaning is no problem, i want the best for my new addition. As perches should i use PVC or wood? Do i need more than two? What is the best way to secure a perch?

If i were to use the waterfall would that be an ample water supply for the GTP? Or would the moving water frustrate him/her? I understand that as a species, the GTP is very nippy. I hear some can be handled if they wanted to be, and then others just want to be left alone which is understandable. I have also read that GTP's tend to clam down when they become yearlings, should i wait until then to handle him/her, or should i start while he/she is young in order to help the snake become more docile when it grows?

I am very excited to recieve this new addition. I would like to learn all i can before it arrives in the next weeks. This will be the most i have ever spent on a snake so i would like to make it as happy and healthy as possible, even if it makes my job harder. Any and all information is appreciated and i look forward to hearing everyones opinion. Thank you.

Can we move this to Morelia....don't know why people think green tree PYTHONS are Tree BOAS.

I am not an experienced GTP keeper so I will not respond to much to your post.

However...I do suggest buying an older GTP not a few week old hatchling. They can be VERY difficult. May I ask who the breeder is?

I don't suggest using one of those waterfalls. Just plain old misting will work just fine. The waterfalls have to be cleaned often and can harbor some nasty bacteria.

Newspaper works great, as well as cypress.


Mike :D

yes please move, i didnt know of the other forum, i just saw everyone posting in here. Thank you for the info.

Hi,


Moved it across for you.:)


dr del

here is a good site for chondros,


www.finegtps.com


http://www.finegtps.com/Care_sheets....%20ENVIRONMENT



vaughn

I'm getting one too! YIPPY :carrot:
I'd suggest an older GTP as well, and inclosure for an adult should be 36Lx24Wx24H.
Misting is all you need, and I'd use newspaper since it's the easiest to cleanup.

I get PVC for perches since some wood can harvest bacteria, but again it depends on the amount of moisture and the type of wood.

Spruce Nubble Farms also has some caresheets and also give you ideas on how to setup a ExoTerra tank also how to connect the perches to the enclosures.
http://www.sprucenubblefarm.com/

thanx, for all the info, the website finegtp.com is where i learned all my info that i know. im not sure i can handle an adult, i would rather start with something small that i can handle bites from, i would also like to see it mature. That is one of the reasons why i am interested in getting this snake. Also, im 19 years old and i still live with my parents, i need to sell two of my balls in order for them to allow me to have my GTP. So i dont think they will be too fond of an adult. Anyone have any idea whats the best way to heat the tank?

IMO the best way to heat a GTP cage is a Radiant Heat Panel.

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u...Picture049.jpg

Go with a Pro-Prducts panel as well top of the line.


Mike

my tank will only be a 12x12x18. do they make one to fit that? and where can i get one?

http://www.pro-products.com/proheat.html

I would give Bob a call he is a great guy to deal with and will set you up right.

Now I am not sure but I don't believe they carry a panel that small. I would go with heat tape for that.


Mike

i would prefer the panel but if it is too big for my tank where should i put the heat tape??? on the back? perhaps on the side over the perch to warm the perch?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Het4Something

i would prefer the panel but if it is too big for my tank where should i put the heat tape??? on the back? perhaps on the side over the perch to warm the perch?

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Hmmm good question. I would say maybe on the side of the cage or on the bottom.


Mike

thanx for everything mike, and pics of ur GTP in that enclosure?

Hey no problem man.

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u...Picture134.jpg

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u...Picture147.jpg


Mike

a friend told m that the heat tape is not a good idea cuz it wouldnt b hot enough, he had suggsted a ceramic heat lamp, no florescent lighting, and just cerrand wrap the side of the screen i wasnt using.... good idea?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Het4Something

a friend told m that the heat tape is not a good idea cuz it wouldnt b hot enough, he had suggsted a ceramic heat lamp, no florescent lighting, and just cerrand wrap the side of the screen i wasnt using.... good idea?

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cerrand wrap??? Will it not melt?? weird idea I think!

thats what i was thinking, but im pretty sure the snake needs a 12-14 hr photoperiod. so darkness 24/7 wouldnt be very beneficial to it.

Just wondering... has your breeder been able to help you with your questions?

most of them, but im sure theres more than one way to do something, im just looking at all my options before i take someones opinion ya know.

if i were to get a hatchling GTP i would use a 10 gal tank with a screen lid that is saran wrapped 2/3 of the way. the remaining 1/3 of the lid is were i would place the heat lamp be it a CHE or infrared bulb. i would use PVC perches and arrange them in a "#" pattern: two running the length and two running the width. the perches could also be different thicknesses from thinner to the same thickness of the GTP. paper towel substrate with a nice size water bowl and maybe some fake leaves for added security. misting the tank once or twice daily. if once then at night.

as the GTP grows i would eventually move it to a 36"x24"x24" enclosure and then use radiant heat panels.

this would all happen if i didnt have a heated reptile room and extra rubbermaids.;)

right now my GTPs are in appropriately sized rubbermaids in a room heated by a thermostat controlled space heater.

either way works!

good luck!

Hello,
The exoterra enclosure is way too big for a neonate GTP...you can stress it out very easily...I suggest using a 12 qt tub with a hole cut out and screen and 3/4 inch fencing or chicken wire over the hole. A couple of perches made from plastic hangers, paper towels for substrate, a small silk plant for some foliage and security for the little guy and water bowl and your good to go....I highly recommend the book "The More Complete Chondro" by Greg Maxwell...a very good read and the plans for the enclosure I just described for you...Let me know if you have any more questions...

email me at scarey03@gmail.com

Steve

i agree the exoterra has the capacity to stress a neonate very easily. i used a rubbermaid setup as well for all four of my neo's. as they grew (and i wanted something a bit neater to look at) i switched to barr's cages. they were inexpensive, provided an easy to access front (which i could see into) and the snake still felt fairly secure as the rest of the cage was not see thru. plus they hold humidity well. the photo period is not a big deal. you can usually accomplish any light need that the snake has with ambient room lighting. remember these things live in pretty dense trees, so light is fairly sparse for them in the wild. like the rest of the posters here, mine are fairly tame, except at night, and are very easy to care for really. get a good thermostat, make sure your heat is good, mist a couple of times a day, provide plenty of fresh water, clean up some poo once in a while (i use paper towel or newspaper for substrate, i found cypress to be a pain) and they are on auto pilot.
until they go off food for a couple of months for no reason...
seriously, i dont know why folks are so intimidated with the husbandry of these things. i think Greg Maxwell even states in his book that as long as a person can be fairly organized and dedicated, they should have a good deal of success keeping GTPs as pets.